5 Reasons Why You Should Include CBD Products into Your Integrative Health Business

Offering clients additional support will help them and your bottom line

Cannabidiol is a popular natural remedy that many people have begun to adopt into their personal care regime. Better known as CBD, it is one of the over 400 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids found in the cannabis or marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa(1).

CBD is a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, this quality makes CBD an appealing option for those who are looking for relief from pain and other symptoms without the mind-altering effects of marijuana or certain pharmaceutical drugs. CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis plant, then diluting it with a carrier oil like coconut (MCT) or hemp seed oil.

It’s gaining momentum in the health and wellness world, with some scientific studies confirming it may help treat a variety of ailments like chronic pain and anxiety.

Here are five reasons why you should include CBD oil into your business strategy.

1) CBD consumer sales are growing at an exponential rate.

In the US, CBD sales have grown from 108 million USD to over 500 million in the space of 4 years, with a growing consumer base, it is expected by 2022 to reach over 1.8 Billion dollars. Making now a fantastic time to become a part of this booming industry. (2)

In the UK, over 250,000 people registered as consumers of CBD in 2017, with this figure expected to double by the end of 2018. (3) With more national chains, such as Holland & Barrett, Boots and Ocado now stocking CBD brands on their shelves, CBD has become a common place food supplement.

2) CBD has an array of health benefits.

Scientists have discovered that certain components of marijuana, including CBD, are responsible for its pain-relieving effects. The human body contains a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in regulating a variety of functions including sleep, appetite, pain and immune system response (4).

The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system. Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters (5)

For example, one study in rats found that CBD injections reduced pain response to surgical incision, while another rat study found that oral CBD treatment significantly reduced sciatic nerve pain and inflammation (6)(7) Several human studies have found that a combination of CBD and THC is effective in treating pain related to multiple sclerosis and arthritis

An oral spray called Sativex, which is a combination of THC and CBD, is approved in several countries to treat pain related to multiple sclerosis. In a study of 47 people with multiple sclerosis, those treated with Sativex for one month experienced a significant improvement in pain, walking and muscle spasms, compared to the placebo group (8). Another study found that Sativex significantly improved pain during movement, pain at rest and sleep quality in 58 people with rheumatoid arthritis (9).

Research has also linked the use of CBD with lower fasting insulin levels as well as smaller waist sizes on study participants, both risk factors in the onset of diabetes. Several animal studies have also discovered similar findings. In addition to reducing the odds of developing diabetes, CBD can also regulate gut issues that many diabetics tend to experience. CBD has also been shown to inhibit the destruction of pancreatic cells that produce insulin and inflammation in diabetics.

CBD has been shown to help reduce the severity and incidence of seizures in people with epilepsy, particularly children. Although the studies currently being done on the effects of CBD on epilepsy are still in their early stages, this compound is showing great promise in this particular area of medicine even when combined with pharmaceutical medications.

Studies have also shown that children with treatment-resistant epilepsy experience a reduction in the number of seizures as well as better sleep, increased alertness and improved mood when CBD is consumed.

CBD may also be a new way to treat acne flare-ups. This compound has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body that points to explain why it may help with acne. Since acne can be caused by inflammation, CBD may prove to be very useful in this realm of wellness.

One study discovered that >CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects can help reduce the production of sebum that can cause acne. More specifically, CBD is being researched as an effective treatment for acne vulgaris, the more common type of acne.

Fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder that causes fatigue and muscle pain, is typically treated with anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroids and opioid pain medications. While such medications can be effective, they are not without their side effects.

CBD has been shown to mimic the effects of these pharmaceuticals without the potential hazards that come with them.

One particular study found that participants who used CBD experienced a greater reduction in symptoms associated with fibromyalgia compared to those who used traditional tactics to treat the condition.

3) Localised consumer markets are trending.

Not everyone is choosing to purchase CBD online or via a national retail outlet; CBD sales are growing at a local level, where people actively seek out “cannabis experts” in independent outlets. Education on cannabinoids has a sharp learning curve, and people are seeking out local experts to guide them through the minefield of purchasing the correct products to help them. With a lot of people sharing their success stories via word of mouth, and discussions with friends and family, it’s a great marketing tool to become the “CBD expert” in your locality.

We ourselves at Canna CBD have found a growing trend in people choosing to pick up their products in store, so they can have a brief consultation about how their products will help them. One of our clients Lakeland CBD have even gone so far as to provide consultation rooms, allowing people to discuss intimate details in private; this is more evidence to suggest that the CBD consumer base is more at a local level than ever before, with education and knowledge being one of the key deciding factors in purchasing, making it the perfect product to include within your integrative health business.

Google Trends suggest that over time, as the market becomes more saturated with new companies and brands emerging, that consumers will push further towards searching for localised businesses that are not predominantly online.

4) The CBD and Cannabis Industry isn’t in a bubble.

Large scale cannabis corporations stocks have surged over the last 6 months, starting with the investment of $4 Billion USD by Constellation Brands into the Canadian firm Canopy Growth Corporation. The move signaled that large scale acquisitions and investments would follow in the preceding year. And as the chart below shows, Cannabis stocks have been increasing evenly ever since.

Four of the five biggest marijuana stocks, including Canopy, Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB), and Aphria (NASDAQOTH:APHQF), have all more than doubled, while shares of Tilray (NASDAQ:TLRY) have absolutely skyrocketed.

This sudden sharp gain with Tilray and other large corporate cannabis stocks have caused some commentators to deem that the sector is in a “bubble” or a “green rush”, and there is no doubt that the sudden rise over the medical marijuana stocks is similar to previous bubbles, such as crypto currencies. After all, marijuana valuations have become divorced from any trailing fundamentals as the sector is essentially being valued like an early-stage biotech. However, this view dismisses one fundamental factor that influences the market greatly, that is the attention and investment of giant consumer goods producers. In September, Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) held talks with Aurora Cannabis, according to Bloomberg, and although the company didn’t acknowledge any discussion, it did express interest in cannabis-based beverages. In a statement, the soda giant said, “We are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world.”

What does this mean for the small independent retailer or health store outlet? Only good things, with the investment by larger global entities into the Cannabis arena, more manufacturers are able to sustain production and lower pricing on their core products, increasing availability and securing supply chains, making the market much more accessible for everyday retailers to tap into this booming market place.

5) Product versatility.

There’s not one particular product that works for everyone, which allows individuals to find CBD-based products that work best for them and also allows retailers to stock a wide assortment of CBD products, from herbal teas to inhalators. Depending on the reasons for CBD usage, certain products may be more beneficial than others.

For instance, if your goal is to experience localized relief, it’s suggested to use a topical CBD-based lotion, cream, or ointment that can be applied onto certain body parts or joints that need relief. Generally, topical CBD products are ideal for relieving muscle soreness, cramps, muscle spasms, and neck, knee, or joint pain. Topical CBD products are increasing in usage for several reasons, but especially because they don’t deliver psycho-active effects since they seep into the skin’s pores rather than entering the body’s bloodstream. If you’re interested in using a topical CBD product, check out our topical products in our store.

Sublingual CBD administration is different than other methods because of how it’s consumed and its nearly immediate effects. To prevent and/or relieve anxiety, stress, or pain, many individuals use CBD sublingual sprays or droppers such as Canna CBD’s Purity Spray. The medicine is placed underneath the tongue, and the effects occur very quickly. Several CBD sublingual sprays and droppers are on the market.

Lastly, inhalation is another method that’s still used nowadays. Some people smoke high CBD strains whereas others vape instead. One study found that when one vapes, they absorb up to 33 percent of the total cannabinoids that are present in that product or cannabis strain. For health purposes, vaping is better than smoking because combustion is avoided. If you’re interested in providing your clients a positive quality of life and well-being while putting health first, consider checking out a vape product to stock such as Canna CBD’s vapes that can be added into your favorite vaporizer. Or, you can purchase vape cartridges depending on your preference.

Overall, CBD has a non-addictive makeup, non-toxic properties, incredible safety profile, and a wide variety of medicinal and therapeutic benefits, which can be useful to anyone. If you’d like to offer a wide assortment of products that improve quality of life, well-being, and achieve much-needed relief, consider implementing a CBD-based product or two into your retail space.